Saturday at Accrington may have been a Football League match but in many ways it still felt like a non-league fixture.

The crowd was sparse —well, in terms of home support, anyway — and the ground and its facilities were inferior to those of several Conference clubs.

This evening, however, there will be no mistaking that Aldershot are back among the elite when the Shots take on Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena in the first round of the Carling Cup (League Cup).

The Arena was completed three years ago, at the cost of £113 million. The Sky Blues played their first game there in August 2005, after leaving Highfield Road, their home for more than 100 years.

The Ricoh has an all-seater capacity of more than 30,000, a hotel, an exhibition and concert centre and even a casino. Talking of casinos, what chance do Aldershot have of causing an upset against the Championship club?

Coventry are clear favourites, of that there is no doubt. After narrowly avoiding relegation to League One last season, Coventry appear to be in their most healthy state since they were relegated from the Premiership in 2001.

In Chris Coleman they have arguably the highest rated manager outside of the top flight and they are finally on a surer financial setting, thanks to chairman Ray Ranson, the former Manchester City player.

Coventry, like Aldershot, made a bright start to the season on Saturday, beating Norwich City 2-0 at home, even if Colemand was disappointed by the display.

Elliott Ward and substitute Leon McKenzie scored the goals, with Coleman fielding a number of his close-season signings, including strikers Freddy Eastwood and Clinton Morrison, the Republic of Ireland international.

Last season’s star player, striker Michael Mifsud, remains at the club but needs to re-build his relationship with Coleman after a proposed move to Bristol City fell through. Injuries mean that, perhaps, Mifsud, whose goals knocked Manchester United out of the competition last season, will be involved tonight.

Waddock is relishing the chance for his young squad to test themselves against high-quality opposition, in a state-of-the-art stadium.

“Coventry will be great for us,” said Waddock. “To play in such a fantastic stadium, against a Championship side will be good for us. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain and will enjoy the occasion.”

Anthony Starker completes a two-match ban but, Dave Winfield and Scott Davies aside, Waddock has a fully-fit squad to choose from.

“We are allowed seven substitutes tonight,” said Waddock. “So hopefully that will mean that the likes of Rhys Day and Junior Mendes can be involved.” Both players missed much of pre-season with injury.

The starting XI will probably not differ much from Saturday’s at Accrington but Lewis Chalmers may start and Waddock will also be keen to give some match action to as many of his young players as possible. So, strikers Rob Elvins, who missed the end of pre-season, and Danny Hylton may feature at some stage.

“It will be a great experience for all and for the younger guys involved it will be a brilliant aprt of their development,” said Waddock.

“Coventry are a good, Championship side but we are in there with them tonight and we have a good group too.

“I’m just keen for us to give a good account of ourselves but upsets can happen and have done recently in this competition. Coventry will be aware of that.”

The last time Aldershot played Coventry was in season 1958-59, in Division Four of the Football League, when Aldershot FC lost 4-0 at the Recreation Ground and 7-1 at Highfield Road.

Aldershot Town should hopefully do better at the Ricoh Arena. It is certainly a chance to test themselves against strong opponents and possibly spring a surprise. Whatever happens, Waddock will make sure the game is another useful experience in the development of his young squad.

For a report on Wednesday’s game go to www.gethampshire.co.uk on Thursday.